408
A. Kumar et al.
2 Self-Assembling Materials
Bio-engineering uses self-assembling technique materials that offer an attractive
alternative to cross-linked polymers, rubbers, and metals or metallic nanoparticles.
To define the material molecular self-assembly process is the best choice that affords
the supramolecular structures. These structures form noncovalent bonds between
their molecules that drive their assembly and organization [16, 17, 18, 19]. However,
molecular hydrogels can be prepared using a self-assembly process resulting in
structures like fibrils, tubules, or complex systems [20]. Mostly self-assembling
molecules are amphiphilic in structure means that contain both hydrophobic as well
as hydrophilic domains. The hydrophilic portion can be charged (anionic or cationic)
or uncharged [16, 17, 20].
In some cases, the therapeutic may be present while the self-assembly process
is triggered; consequently, it is essential to consider the loading of therapeutic.
Under aqueous conditions, the amphiphilic molecules assemble in different shapes
and sizes that range from nanometers to microns due to weak and noncovalent
interactions. The thermodynamic driving force of most self-assembly events is
provided by the de-solvation, collapse, and intermolecular association of monomers’
hydrophobic portions. Intermolecular polar interactions, such as electrostatic and
hydrogen bonding, can occur to define the molecules’ structural specificity. The
morphology of the final assembled structure depends on the structure of the monomer
and the external environment in which self-assembly occurs. The temperature, pH,
and ionic strength of the solution, as well as the monomer’s concentration, can dictate
the formation of a variety of structures formed by a single, distinct amphiphile.
Self-assembly is a dynamic process, and therefore can be triggered or reversed
by these external stimuli, offering the possibility of forming the assembly before
delivery and disassembling the final supramolecular structure after delivery to the
site of interest [17, 18, 19]. Molecular amphiphiles self-assemble to form a variety
of nano- and microscale structures under aqueous solution. Mesophase structure
influences the proper-ties of soft materials such as amphiphilic, colloids, polymers,
etc., and the self-assembly technique is one of the best suitable techniques to make
the mesophase structure. Fabrication of nanoparticles with control shape, size, and
functionality is the major challenge for the researchers. Metal nanoparticles can
be surface-patterned with the help of the self-organization of block copolymers or
without the help of block copolymers. Metal nanoparticles could be self-assembled
on the solid substrate which can form within micelles in the solution also metal
nanoparticles could be self-assembled by selective wetting technique. Nanoparticles
are having a high aspect ratio that could be modified and self-assembled to improve
drug bioavailability, blood circulation, tissue engineering, tissue targeting area, etc. A
literature survey demonstrates the nanoparticle geometries that can induce different
biological applications. Its unique and adorable characteristics make them highly
desirable for bio-applications such as drug delivery, bio-sensing, and in vivo diagnostic applications. In this context, this chapter aims to cover the main features of
the self-assembly of biomaterials and applications in the biomedical field, various
surface modifications of nanomaterials, including metallic nanoparticles and carbon
A. Kumar et al.
2 Self-Assembling Materials
Bio-engineering uses self-assembling technique materials that offer an attractive
alternative to cross-linked polymers, rubbers, and metals or metallic nanoparticles.
To define the material molecular self-assembly process is the best choice that affords
the supramolecular structures. These structures form noncovalent bonds between
their molecules that drive their assembly and organization [16, 17, 18, 19]. However,
molecular hydrogels can be prepared using a self-assembly process resulting in
structures like fibrils, tubules, or complex systems [20]. Mostly self-assembling
molecules are amphiphilic in structure means that contain both hydrophobic as well
as hydrophilic domains. The hydrophilic portion can be charged (anionic or cationic)
or uncharged [16, 17, 20].
In some cases, the therapeutic may be present while the self-assembly process
is triggered; consequently, it is essential to consider the loading of therapeutic.
Under aqueous conditions, the amphiphilic molecules assemble in different shapes
and sizes that range from nanometers to microns due to weak and noncovalent
interactions. The thermodynamic driving force of most self-assembly events is
provided by the de-solvation, collapse, and intermolecular association of monomers’
hydrophobic portions. Intermolecular polar interactions, such as electrostatic and
hydrogen bonding, can occur to define the molecules’ structural specificity. The
morphology of the final assembled structure depends on the structure of the monomer
and the external environment in which self-assembly occurs. The temperature, pH,
and ionic strength of the solution, as well as the monomer’s concentration, can dictate
the formation of a variety of structures formed by a single, distinct amphiphile.
Self-assembly is a dynamic process, and therefore can be triggered or reversed
by these external stimuli, offering the possibility of forming the assembly before
delivery and disassembling the final supramolecular structure after delivery to the
site of interest [17, 18, 19]. Molecular amphiphiles self-assemble to form a variety
of nano- and microscale structures under aqueous solution. Mesophase structure
influences the proper-ties of soft materials such as amphiphilic, colloids, polymers,
etc., and the self-assembly technique is one of the best suitable techniques to make
the mesophase structure. Fabrication of nanoparticles with control shape, size, and
functionality is the major challenge for the researchers. Metal nanoparticles can
be surface-patterned with the help of the self-organization of block copolymers or
without the help of block copolymers. Metal nanoparticles could be self-assembled
on the solid substrate which can form within micelles in the solution also metal
nanoparticles could be self-assembled by selective wetting technique. Nanoparticles
are having a high aspect ratio that could be modified and self-assembled to improve
drug bioavailability, blood circulation, tissue engineering, tissue targeting area, etc. A
literature survey demonstrates the nanoparticle geometries that can induce different
biological applications. Its unique and adorable characteristics make them highly
desirable for bio-applications such as drug delivery, bio-sensing, and in vivo diagnostic applications. In this context, this chapter aims to cover the main features of
the self-assembly of biomaterials and applications in the biomedical field, various
surface modifications of nanomaterials, including metallic nanoparticles and carbon